Semiconductors can be found in many everyday devices, ranging from high-end systems such as computers to much more lightweight gadgets like mobile phones. While manual stages may come in handy for certain situations, there are many reasons why linear stages and motion systems have become a mainstay when it comes to semiconductor device manufacturing. After all, in order to produce the best wafers, any company worth its salt should use only the best equipment in order to provide high quality results.
In this article, we will be discussing just why these kinds of systems work so well for this specific industry.
Minimize Any Possibility of Human Error
Because semiconductors are now so small—anywhere from several micrometers to only a few nanometers—it would be extremely difficult to handle the tiny materials by hand. Plus, completely manual processes can make the final product vulnerable to human error. Even being off by only a single nanometer can compromise the usability of the wafer and other devices.
However, there is a type of linear stage that can address this issue. They are called air bearing stages because they are kept aloft by a cushion of air, and thus, they minimize any and all mechanical contact that the machine may make. Thus, using this type of machine can eliminate friction, vibration, hysteresis, as well as wear and tear from regular operations. Air bearing systems are thus perfect for any processes that require continuous movement at high controlled speeds, such as surface profiling and water scanning.
Finish Tasks More Accurately in Much Less Time
If one were to do their semiconductor inspection manually, then it would take a lot of time just to load the machine with the material, adjust it for inspection, unload the material, and then load the next material to be scanned. With linear stages and motor systems, all of these can be automated. These stages can also move almost instantly as soon as they are activated, without wasting a lot of time just to build up to its maximum speed.
Because the stages and motors can move so fast, this means that you can carry out a greater number of inspections than you ever could by doing it manually or by using other types of machines. Thus, this can result in a much higher number of chips produced per shift for your company, which can lead to higher profits in the long run.
Takeaway
These are just a few of the reasons why linear stages and motion systems are some of the best investments you can make if you’re engaged in semiconductor device manufacturing. There are many different products on the market, such as rotary stages, XY stages, and microscope stages, to name a few, all meant to address different issues when it comes to production.
That means that there will definitely be at least one that will suit your needs, so it would be best to start taking a look into them now. The sooner you do, the sooner your company can reap the benefits offered by this type of technology.